RAIL.ONE opens Iowa rail tie plant

RAIL.ONE USA Corp. on Tuesday, April 29, 2014, held an opening ceremony for a $22 million concrete rail tie plant in Clinton, Iowa, located within the city's Lincolnway Railport.

The plant, which began production last February, was described as "one of the most modern production facilities in the concrete tie industry" by RAIL.ONE Group CEO Jochen Riepl. The plant is expected to produce 600,000 ties per year. About 65 workers will be employed at the plant.

"That we are able today – after less than a year of construction time – to put it into operation is an unheard-of achievement for our team, to whom I am genuinely thankful," Riepl said. "Here in the USA with our know-how, we will set the standards for new technologies and for quality in the concrete tie industry."

Union Pacific Railroad serves the plant and railport, and a UP consist loaded with concrete ties heralded the ceremonial event Tuesday, according to local media. Congratulating RAIL.ONE for the plant opening, UP Vice President of Supply and Continuous Improvement D. Lynn Kelley, Ph.D, observed, "We are excited about this facility and grateful to RAIL.ONE for bringing their concrete tie products to Iowa and Union Pacific."